Terry Newman Demands Independent Inquest into Tumbler Ridge Shooting Tragedy
The community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, continues to grapple with the devastating aftermath of a school shooting that claimed eight innocent lives. Among the victims, six were children under the age of 14, leaving families shattered and a community searching for answers. Terry Newman has stepped forward with a powerful call for action, demanding an independent investigation into what appears to have been a preventable tragedy.
A Community Failed on Multiple Fronts
On February 10, 2018, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar embarked on a violent rampage that began at their family home before moving to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The shooter first killed their mother and half-brother, then proceeded to the educational institution where they took the lives of an educational assistant and five children. Dozens more were injured in the attack, with one child remaining in critical condition long after the incident.
The emerging picture reveals systemic failures across multiple institutions that should have protected the community. Mental health services, law enforcement agencies, and gun control measures all appear to have fallen short in preventing this catastrophe.
Mental Health System Breakdown
Van Rootselaar's documented mental health history presents a troubling pattern of missed opportunities for intervention. The shooter had been apprehended multiple times for involuntary psychiatric assessments, with the most recent occurring just months before the tragedy. Their mental health conditions were well-documented and included:
- Attempts to set the family home on fire
- Substance abuse issues
- Multiple police visits due to mental health concerns
Despite this troubling history, when Van Rootselaar was released from psychiatric care, they were not placed on "extended leave" status. This oversight meant the shooter did not receive the mandatory continued treatment and supervised support from community care providers that might have prevented the violent outburst.
Law Enforcement and Gun Control Failures
The investigation has revealed alarming lapses in firearm regulation and law enforcement procedures. At the scene, authorities recovered a long gun and a modified rifle, neither of which were registered to Van Rootselaar, whose firearms license had expired in 2024.
Perhaps most shockingly, police had previously seized firearms from the shooter's residence several years earlier but later returned them. While RCMP officials claim neither weapon used in the shooting had been previously seized, serious questions remain about why any firearms were permitted in a household where an individual was experiencing severe and consistent mental health issues.
Unanswered Questions and Motive
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald has indicated that Van Rootselaar appeared to have no specific targets, instead "engaging anybody and everybody they could come in contact with." No suicide note was discovered, leaving investigators and the community without clear answers about the shooter's motivation.
The shooter, born biologically male but identifying as female, had posted questions online about hormone replacement therapy. However, it remains unclear whether Van Rootselaar was undergoing such treatment or taking any medications that might have contributed to the erratic behavior displayed before and during the shooting.
A Call for Systemic Change
Terry Newman's demand for an independent inquest represents more than just a search for accountability—it's a plea for systemic reform. The multiple red flags that went unheeded in this case highlight critical gaps in Canada's mental health infrastructure, law enforcement protocols, and firearm regulations.
As the community continues to mourn its devastating losses, the call for a thorough investigation grows louder. Only through comprehensive examination of what went wrong can meaningful changes be implemented to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in other communities across the country.
The Tumbler Ridge shooting serves as a tragic reminder that when multiple systems fail simultaneously, the consequences can be catastrophic. Newman's advocacy for an independent inquest offers hope that from this tragedy might emerge reforms that better protect vulnerable individuals and the communities they inhabit.
